BEAUTIFUL autumn sunshine greeted the competitors at the first cross-country race of the season. The event, held over undulating forest tracks at Shouldham Warren, is part of a six-race league over three different distances.

BEAUTIFUL autumn sunshine greeted the competitors at the first cross-country race of the season.

The event, held over undulating forest tracks at Shouldham Warren, is part of a six-race league over three different distances.

Kim Reader and Eva Osborne were the only female runners from Wymondham, both qualifying for individual prizes.

In-form Kim ran a personal best time over that course and was rewarded with the third prize in the W35 age group. Eva, having missed all of last year's events, was happy just to compete again and was delighted with her third position in the W55 age band.

A further third prize went to Andy Preston in the highly competitive M40 age group. James Birch, also in the M40 group ran well but missed out on the prizes. Craig Dungar, who had come to support his team-mates and entered the race at the last minute, performed well, finishing strongly just ahead of Gerry Watson, who managed a personal best time over the course. Robert Scarfe, one of WAC's experienced cross-country runners, followed with a solid race.

Preferring longer distances, Terry Epps travelled further afield to compete in the Henley-on-Thames Half-Marathon. The event, held over a popular course, attracted well over 2,000 runners. Terry's time of 1-28:17 was his best this year and he was rewarded for his efforts with first prize in the M50 age group.

Meanwhile, members of Wymondham AC travelled to Ampthill to compete in the Eastern Veterans' Cross- Country Championship.

The prestigious event, incorporated in the popular Ampthill Trophy Meeting, attracted the best athletes from all over the eastern region.

The race is open to veterans only (men and women over 35) and prizes are awarded in five-year age bands.

An extremely tough, hilly course with steep inclines pushed the runners to their limits.

Eva Osborne, returning to racing, had a good start but had to work hard to hold on to her lead, finished first in the W65 age group. Another first place went to Anne Martin in the W70 category, who managed to hold off a strong challenge from other competitors in her age group.

'This was the toughest course I have ever run,' Anne said. 'The almost continuous steep up and downs with hardly any flat parts to recover was a tremendous challenge.'